I would just like to say I am a mother of 3 my youngest is 1 I currently had a business which i enjoyed but stopped due to finanial reasons I am now doing a degree in marketing which i do not enjoy, i am now 33 and would like another child, how i was when i was in my 20's very ambitious i am no longer and family comes first,i am hoping that stopping at home is the right thing to do.

Just an update to everyone who offered me such wonderful advice...

I've currently decided against going back to school for a degree in social work, and have embraced my writing career, which has taken on a life of its own!

I am now publishing a parenting zine (an independent magazine) called Gonzo Parenting (GonzoParentingZine.com), have a bi-weekly column called The Gonzo Mama (TheGonzoMama.com), and have helped found a literary performance group called Motherhood: From Egg to Zine (and everything in between) (MotherhoodEggtoZine.com).

I am more than busy enough to not have time to even THINK about anything but my family and writing these days!

Best,
Christina-Marie Wright

It's about sequencing, maybe.
Multi-tasking will drive anybody crazy.
Plus it's tough to do several things at the same time and do them well. Be careful with your knife when you're slicing veggies and talking on the phone at the same time!

CM...
Disturbing
Nightmares
Once haunted a girl
I (once) knew
together, we
placed a picture
in the middle of the street
to burn out
subconscious evil
as the flames turned yellow
her heart became full again
her soul was clear
she could write again.
(remember that time?)
Go with your heart...the rest will follow
XXOO

do not give up on your dreams! There are on-line courses that you could take to complete your degree and still continue with your writing. At 53 I teach at-risk pre-k students and just finished my masters with a 4.0 average. I feel you can do whatever you want.

Hi Christina-Marie,
I am a social worker and have been one for the past 15 years. I am a mother of a 6 and 4 year old and would love to share with you my experiences as a social worker wanting to make a difference with a busy schedule. Jocelyn

I know how difficult decisions can be, especially in your situation. But I do commend you in your efforts to improving your life. I've read all the other articles and praise each and every one in their rendering of advice. Being a male, I felt out of place trying to offer my help in your situation but, then reconsidered the outcome of a friend in need of help. I am married and my children are fully grown, 31,28 and 27 with a 1 yr old granddaugther and continue my efforts to improve my life in order to apply myself when my children need me. As a military retired, I use that experience regarding my leadersip qualities and decided that education expands the knowledge of every individual. I attend the University of Phoenix at night from 6pm-10pm, majoring in Human & Health Services which will give me the Degree in the same field, social work, healthcare administration. This is only once a week. It is a lengthy process but a rewarding one. I can see that you being a responsible person, a lady, a wife, a mother and a career orientated individual, I feel that if you apply yourself in regards to the University Of Phoenix, you'll find it beneficial at the end. Each class is a five week course, once a week, allowing you time in family exposure at the same time, writing papers, poems and still fulfilling your obligations. I'm quite sure your husband would appreciate this and would participate in helping you and the rest of the family. I will pray for you, your husband and your children in hopes of a future. Your friend in Las Vegas........P.J. & Family

How about looking into volunteering as a court appointed special advocate (CASA)? You can use the experience you've had with your little ones to your advantage and give a voice to other children. I believe it will give you the flexibility to do what you love, keep writing, and be there for your kids. I have seen friends in their social work careers; they are gifted, but at times due to the system in which they must operate, they are weary and discouraged. Also, keep writing! If you have so much written and put away, maybe you should get discovered NOW rather than later. It's another beautiful gift of yourself that you can share. I'll keep you in prayer as you decide!

Christina-Marie,
Is it possible for you to take classes as a part-time student? That way, you can start a program and chip away at classes. It might take a little longer, but you would have more time with your foster children. I just took a temporary leave from a Social Work program, and I will tell you, it is a life changing career. The classes alone will open your eyes to coping with your family, friends, as well as strangers on the street. It never hurts to take one or two classes and see how life changes.
I just had a son a year ago and am a stay-at-home mom. I have been searching for free-lance writing opportunities, because of the flexibility. Any advice as to how to get your foot in the door?
Congrats on your accomplishments! Amidst all the opinions being tossed at you, stay positive! I am telling you, try out the Social Work program. I think a part-time program would be a good fit for you!

Would you feel right taking on the responsibility for your two foster daughters and their special considerations, then not devoting yourself to them and their needs? Something tells me, probably not. Would you always wonder if you could've "made it" as a writer, if you abandoned it now in favor of social work? Probably. Stay your course. Your new babies, and your other children likely need you, and as the mother of a special needs daughter, I can tell you that the amount of time can be (depending of course on your circumstances) exhaustive. Driving to therapy, keeping up with home therapy, etc. Juggling that and a new career, on top of running a home with 7 kids? Hello? Social work will be there. Explore it from the Mom angle as you go thru the foster care/adoption process and take that experience with you down the road... you can always do it later when the babies are older. Don't jump ahead. And congratulations! You sound blessed, and amazing.

Cry, for as long as I can remember your love for the written word has trumped all else. Writing is where your heart and passion are! You rock baby girl, publish your works and allow the world to know what those who love you have always known!

I am a social worker who raised 3 sons while working full time. If you have the option of staying with writing and can enjoy the flexibility I would strongly encourage you to take it. While social work can be rewarding, it is also quite frustrating. Not everyone wants to take advantage of the help offered, repeatedly making poor choices. You have a chance to make a difference in these children's lives. They will grow up so quickly and you will lose that small window of opportunity to spend quality as well as quantity time with them. If you are meant to be a professional social worker the time will come. Enjoy yourself and those kids for now. Best wishes.
Lynn

Do both. Pursue the degree, but continue to work on your writing by taking creative writing classes for electives. In the short term, your kids need your time, but in the long term they'll also need your income when it comes time for 7 children to head off to college! Pursue social work, but continue to work on your writing. That way, you can quit your job as a social worker when you find that your writing career is taking off.

Just from these few paragraphs, your career motivation for social work is outside your family; your career motivation for writing is inside your family. Anyone with 7 children *especially volunteering to take in foster children* is obviously a family person. Do what you think is best for your family - you won't regret it. If you still feel the pull to help in the community, look for volunteer opportunities that you can fit into you and your familiy's schedule. God bless.

Christina-Marie, you are already doing social work with your two foster children! What a wonderful way to combine two passions: pursue your writing career while also being home with the children. Besides, in my graduate program there were plenty of women over 50 getting their degrees. You can always decide to go back to school later.

You only have your children for about 18 yrs or so, which you can never get back. I'd invest in them, enjoy every moment right now. There's time for school when the nest is empty if you aren't a famous author/poet by then. Go with your love, your children and your dream.

Put school off just a little bit longer and be with your new babies -- the rewards will be tenfold! But only if you make a promise to yourself to go to school someday, once its quieter in your life. Most importantly, pursue your writing! Many people don't have the chance to pursue their art, so take advantage if you can! Besides, the world needs more Vegan writers out there to educate and inspire them! Best of luck and thank you for taking care of the children of our future who need you!

That is definitely a tough decision to wrestle with. One thing to consider is that you are helping more people than you know by not only being a foster parent but sharing that with others. This has already planted a seed in the minds of many wonderful people who may now consider becoming foster parents. I also changed careers three years ago at40 and bcame a full time teacher. One reason is because I would have the summer off with my children (one will be in eighth grade and another will be a junior in high school) and I really only have a couple more years left to be with them. It goes by fast and you are still quite young. Now is a great time to try to make awriting a career.

I think you should keep up the writing and have more time with the kids. The children are only young for so long while school is something you can do later on. If you decide to go to school, more time and energy will be needed for this choice, and taken away from the children, family and home. The last thing you need is more stress! From a personal experience, I had my baby and continue to work from home but this takes away from my husband and baby, so even though I work while she naps, or on the weekend, when he is home with her, the time I spend working just wears me out! I realize now that I need to cut out the time I spend on working because it is all just too much and I only have one baby!

My advice is to stick with the kids and the writing.
Here's why:
1) These kids need you at home. I have NO issues with working moms, but you took them in to help them out and I think that you being at home will give them the utmost security.
2) Writing will allow you to work at home. If it is your passion, I think this is the golden opportunity to pursue it. Being at home will allow you to keep an eye on more opportunities to get published.
3) If taking these kids has inspired you to do social work, here is my cynical advice: Social Work will frustrate the heck out of you because even though you are doing good things, you will run into more brick walls and more idiotic people than you can imagine. If you stay at home and focus on the kids in your home, that will promote more social good will than anything!!!!!

I think Christina Marie should go ahead and pursue her degree in Social work. She could always go to school part time in the evenings after the babies and other children have had her undivided attention all day.

By the evening hours perhaps her husband could care for the children while Christina Marie attends class.

In this way, she is living both of her dreams at the same time and even if it will take longer to get the degree she is putting the children first in her life which is so very important, especially when the children are very young as these babies are.

you know what i think you should do!

Christina...what a wonderful woman you are! You seem so much to put others first...which in itself can be fulfilling... in a life decision....sometimes its important to put yourself first. How would you truly feel with an extremely demanding schedule of balancing family and school? Would you feel exhilirated or exhausted? Once you receiv your degree and took on the job....would it work well in your family situation? Could you possibly go to school on-line? I have considered going back to school as well. Unfortunately, I am stuck in a dead-end job and I am a single mother of 3 boys. I know its what I need to do, but right now it's not what I want to do. I think sometimes, your gut is the right answer. In my gut, I don't feel like I could take on school, being a mother and working full time. When the time is right....I think I'll feel it...or else...I'll deal with what comes! Good luck!

Go with whatever your passion is. Not many women find what they are passionate about. You're lucky you have. If there is a way to continue your career while pursuing your degree, go for it. It may take longer but in the end I think you will be happy with your decision.